Scotland's law firms still expect to identify and exploit opportunities in the recession.

Scottish Business Insider's annual law review spoke to several prominent lawyers who believe firms must continue to seek out new markets and make the most of the business they have.

Employment, litigation, insolvency and restructuring are among the areas which are still extremely busy. Richard Masters, of McGrigors, said: "In the short term, the challenge is around repositioning the business.

"There'll be a great deal of restructuring work to be done over the next 12 to 24 months and it's important the firm's in a position to do that." Michael Murphy, managing partner at Macroberts, said: "Experience tells me that, no matter the economic climate, clients need lawyers and, provided you're not heavily exposed in areas affected by the recession, there'll still be a demand for your services.

"Quality always pulls through - and that goes for pretty much all of the major firms in Scotland." Colin McKay, one of the partners establishing the new Eversheds office in Edinburgh, said: "The market in Scotland is in a bit of distress, like the market everywhere else but that throws up opportunities.

Alan Thomson, McLure Naismith chairman, said: "Whilst we are not immune to a tough market, we are weathering the storm and have the resources in place to respond to the climate and to recovery in due course." Alister Fraser, managing partner at Semple Fraser, said: "What you've got to do in these sorts of markets is focus on the opportunities that are there, and that's what we've been doing.

"We're trying to ride it out and capitalise on every opportunity that we can. There's nowhere to hide in these times; you've got to be in it and doing your level best." The full annual law review can be found in this month's Insider magazine..